Nigeria is home to one of the most prolific film industries in the world, known as Nollywood. However, Nigeria's rich cinema landscape extends beyond just Nollywood, with several other thriving regional film industries spread across the country. In this blog post, we'll take a closer look at the 10 largest film industries in Nigeria.
Nollywood, centered in Lagos, is undoubtedly the largest and most well-known film industry in Nigeria. Producing over 2,500 straight-to-DVD and online films annually, Nollywood is the second-largest film industry in the world by volume. Nollywood films are hugely popular throughout Africa and the Nigerian diaspora globally.
Based in the northern city of Kano, Kannywood is the second-largest film industry in Nigeria. Producing films primarily in the Hausa language, Kannywood is a major hub for cinema in northern Nigeria, churning out over 200 films per year.
Yorubawood, located in Ibadan, is the third-largest film industry in Nigeria. Specializing in Yoruba-language films, Yorubawood produces around 150 movies annually, catering to the large Yoruba population in southwestern Nigeria and the diaspora.
The film industry based in Nigeria's capital city of Abuja is the fourth-largest in the country. Emerging in the 2000s, the Abuja film industry produces around 120 films per year, encompassing a diverse range of genres and styles.
Riverwood, centered in Port Harcourt, is the fifth-largest film industry in Nigeria. Primarily producing films in the Igbo language, Riverwood churns out approximately 100 movies annually, serving the southeastern region of the country.
The film industry based in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, is the sixth-largest in Nigeria. Known for its Bini-language productions, the Benin City film industry generates around 80 films per year.
Located in the city of Jos, the Jos film industry is the seventh-largest in Nigeria. With a focus on Christian and family-friendly content, the Jos industry produces roughly 75 films annually.
The film industry in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, is the eighth-largest in Nigeria. Producing around 60 films per year, the Calabar film industry is an emerging force in the country's diverse cinema landscape.
The film industry based in Enugu, the capital of Enugu State, is the ninth-largest in Nigeria. Known for its Igbo-language productions, the Enugu film industry generates approximately 50 films per year.
The film industry located in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, is the tenth-largest in Nigeria. Producing around 40 films annually, the Asaba film industry caters to the local population and the broader Nigerian diaspora.
Nigeria's film industry landscape is remarkably diverse, with multiple thriving regional hubs producing a wide range of content catering to the country's rich cultural tapestry. From the behemoth that is Nollywood to the emerging forces like Riverwood and Calabar, these 10 largest film industries in Nigeria continue to captivate audiences both at home and abroad.